Pros:
+ Welcome board has a map and lost disc box.
+ Tees are all flat, long and wide concrete within a wooden frame.
+ Numbered baskets are color-coded for whichever layout you play.
+ Pleasant park in a quiet area lets you unwind.
+ Tee signs have all information for all layouts, but...
Cons:
- ...Those tee signs are only at the long tees. Somebody playing a shorter layout will need to find that long tee first to get the information they want.
- The course is mostly flat and has just a few noteworthy features.
- It's not a very engaging course. Few things about it reached out and grabbed me.
Other Thoughts:
It was a mistake to play The TRAXX during a light rain on a chilly mid-autumn morning, but that was the only day I would be this way for a long time. Watch out for slick and muddy areas in the days after (and especially during) rain.
The TRAXX, so named for the railroad tracks that pass right by the course along links11-15, is a well-designed course that makes the most of the land it was allocated. I know that sounds like I'm damning it with faint praise, so let me skip to the end for a moment. This course gets a gentle recommendation for its variety and execution thanks to its water features, infrastructure and manageable difficulty.
Rainy morning or not, the terrain is still the same. It's not the flattest course I've played, but it's close. I enjoyed playing links7 and 8 the most because those were the only ones with any degree of appreciable elevation. Plus, they had the densest tree cover in the entire course. The rest of the links did have trees but more in that open 'park-style' sort of way. The circuit is a nice walk with some peaceful sights. Link6 looked the most attractive to my mind because of its woodsy hallway away from everything else.
Honorable mentions to links10 and 17 for incoporating Lake Charles, though it more resembles a big pond, into their fairways. (Incidentally, if anybody finds an orange Innova Gator at the bottom of the pond on link10, they can keep it. I've long since replaced it!) Furthermore, there is a nice creek to be wary of alongside two or three of the fairways near the end. They are just brief stints of tension, but I was glad to experience them.
In terms of unpleasant aspects, I didn't enjoy throwing so close to parking lots like in the case of links4 and 5, the park road as with link5 and walking trails as seen in link17. There are also sports fields closeby to some of the fairways. One bad gust of wind during a game, and you might have problems...? I had the course all to myself on that rainy morning, but I can easily picture this park filling up on a pleasant day, and we all know how much dog-walkers love going off the beaten paths. So just be mindful and cautious. I didn't enjoy its largely flat profile. As I mentioned earlier, it has precious little elevation. But unfortunately the tree cover is similarly anemic. TRAXX doesn't throw much at the player to really test their woods navigation and elevation management. From my viewpoint, TRAXX averages on the dull side.
But to put everything into perspective, I do want to say that TRAXX resembles a fine training ground for those budding players who are ready to deal with water hazards, gentle elevation and other OB concerns. For my time and other experienced players, you should know that it's not brilliant, but it's a well put together course of 18 links. If you can forgive the simplicity and straightforward nature of most of the fairways, you will find yourself having a decent time at TRAXX.
Gently recommended.